Over the span of six months, men and women will go through intensive training at the James N. Robey Public Safety Training Center in Marriottsville.

Not only will they learn to fight fires, but also perform advanced rescues, deal with hazmat situations and weapons of mass destruction. 11 News got a rare glimpse inside for an opportunity to literally feel the heat.

Lt. Stacy Ruehl walks through the most important step, putting on the gear. The boots and pants go on, then the hood, followed by the coat.

Ruehl said getting into gear should take less than 90 seconds.

The mask, helmet, gloves and air pack go on next. In all, there's about 45 pounds of gear. The final step is connecting the regulator and testing it out. Once it's engaged, breathing becomes a lot easier.

Heard of the Jaws of Life?

"We have tools that will spread metal, cut metal," Ruehl said.

There are even tools that help free someone who's trapped. One group worked through every possible scenario.

During Friday's training, there was a car fire drill.

Meanwhile, the rapid intervention or RIT team goes in on a controlled burn with the help of firefighter Clayton Bell, who left a desk job 12 years ago and never looked back.

"It's humbling to know you're in a position that you have the opportunity to make a difference and save someone's life," Bell said.